The climate in Cancun is tropical, with average temperatures of 80F (27C) and little variation throughout the year. The weather in Cancun is fairly predictable, with November to February being fairly temperate and the air becoming drier and hotter in March and April. May to January is Cancun's rainy season, and tropical storms are most likely between June and December. Cancun has been hit by several major hurricanes in the last several decades, and is considered to be in one of the main Caribbean hurricane impact areas. The best time to visit Cancun is in February and March.

Cancun has a huge variety of restaurants, offering food and prices to suit nearly any taste or budget. The Hotel Zone is dominated by international chains like Hard Rock Cafe, TGI Friday's, Tony Roma's, Rainforest Cafe, and Señor Frog's, however there are a number of very good Mexican restaurants in Cancun serving local food. The restaurants in downtown Cancun tend to be cheaper and more authentic, though they often lack the sheen of the more touristy establishments. Good food is available from streetside taco stands as well.

Local Yucatan cuisine combines some of the best elements of Spanish and Mexican dishes, including specialties like panuchos(tortillas with fried black beans, chicken and pickled onions), cochinita pibil(suckling pig baked in banana leaves with annatto sauce), and freshly-caught local seafood.

Some of the most popular restaurants in Cancun include the cheap-and-cheerful seafood joint Santos Mariscos, the lagoon-side Mexican restaurant La Destilería (which serves more than 150 kinds of tequila), and the Mayan-inspired creations at La Habichuela.

Getting around in Cancun is relatively easy, as there are plenty of transportation options aimed specifically at tourists. Driving in Cancun is often more stress than it is worth, especially during Spring Break when local police are zealous about pulling over tourists.

Buses are cheap and frequent in popular areas, including along the Bulevar Kukulkán. Buses in Cancun are convenient and many drivers speak English, however they are usually hot and crowded.

Taxis are also plentiful in Cancun, however they tend to be expensive. While most fares within downtown Cancun are less than MXN20, fares in the Hotel Zone are higher. Cab drivers have set rates for many popular destinations. Taxis are the only form of late-night transportation, as walking at night is not considered safe.

Spanish is the official language in Mexico. Some English is spoken in tourist regions.

Mexican currency is the New Peso (MXN) divided into 100 centavos. Credit cards are widely accepted, particularly Visa, MasterCard and American Express. Travellers cheques are generally accepted, but cannot be cashed on Sundays. ATMs are available in most cities and towns and are the most convenient way to get money, but for safety reasons they should only be used during business hours. Although most businesses will accept foreign currency it is best to use pesos. Foreign currency can be exchanged at one of many casas de cambio(exchange houses), which have longer hours and offer a quicker service than the banks.

Cancun's nightlife is among the world's best. Dozens of bars and nightclubs welcome tourists with the promise of cheap tequila and lively music.

Most parties aimed at tourists take place in the Hotel Zone. Popular bars like Dady'O, Congo Bar and CoCo Bongo host top deejays, opening from 10pm until the sun rises. Many restaurants like the Señor Frog's, Hard Rock Cafe and TGI Friday's double as bars, which is often cheaper than many of the clubs. A great way to sample the nightlife of the Hotel Zone is on a Bar Hopper Tour, which provides entry and transportation to several popular hotspots.

In downtown Cancun, the clubs aren't as shiny or filled with tourists, but the drinks are significantly cheaper. The nightlife in downtown Cancun is concentrated on Yaxchilan Avenue, and you'll find the local residents patronising bars like Los 4 Elementos and La Taberna.

Several hotels in Cancun host Mexican fiesta nights, with folk dancing performances and dinner. These nights make a great alternative to the bars and clubs, which can be rowdy and filled with young people, especially during the Spring Break period.

Shopping in Cancun is a serious sport. Air-conditioned shopping malls offer duty-free deals on everything from watches and jewellery to alcohol and tobacco products; while souvenir shops peddle Señor Frog's t-shirts, beach wear and tequila; and outdoor markets offer a selection of handicrafts and locally-made products.

The biggest concentration of shopping malls in Cancun is along Bulevar Kukulkán in the Hotel Zone. Kukulkán Plaza is a huge mall with more than 300 stores as well as a bowling alley, restaurants, and small casino. The newly-renovated Forum by the Sea offers many name-brand shops like Diesel, Harley-Davidson, and Hard Rock Cafe. La Isla Shopping Village is by far the most attractive mall in Cancun however, with open-air walkways of shops and restaurants criss-crossing canals that offer boat rides, and an interactive aquarium; along with a selection of restaurants and bars, the mall has a movie theatre and arcade. The best duty-free shopping in Cancun is generally accepted to be at Ultrafemme on Avenida Tulum, an enormous shop offering tax-free deals on many luxury goods.

Most souvenirs from Cancun run to the tacky t-shirt variety, however it is possible to find handmade items like silver jewellery, leathergoods and woven blankets at the outdoor market at Mercado 28, or Coral Negro on Bulevar Kukulkán.

Most shops in Cancun are open late, until 10 or 11pm during high season. Credit cards are widely accepted in shops, however bargaining is only practised in markets. It is recommended to only use ATMs located in banks or hotels, as banking fees are often larger at private ATMs and identity theft is common.